Jan

19

Just posting a quick, pre-emptive note on the playing of the national anthems at this morning’s reception for Chinese President Hu — yes, yes, the band did, indeed, play the Chinese national anthem before the U.S. national anthem. No, this is not further proof that the U.S. is bowing down to the Chinese, nor that President Obama hates this country. It is, in fact, established State Department diplomatic protocol, as shown on the State Department’s FAQ page:

Q: If both the U.S. national anthem and the national anthem of a foreign country were being played at an event (in the United States), which one would be played first?